der  Marathon

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmaʁatɔn/

🏃 What does 'der Marathon' mean?

Der Marathon primarily refers to a long-distance race covering a distance of exactly 42.195 kilometers (about 26.2 miles). The name originates from the legend of the Greek messenger Pheidippides, who is said to have run from the Battle of Marathon to Athens.

Figuratively, der Marathon is also used for any lengthy, strenuous task or undertaking that requires a lot of endurance.

• Main meaning: An official long-distance race (42.195 km).
• Figurative meaning: A very long and challenging activity (e.g., ein Verhandlungsmarathon - a negotiation marathon, ein Lernmarathon - a study marathon).

🚨 There is only this one article (der) for the word in both meanings.

📊 Grammar of 'der Marathon' in Detail

The word Marathon is masculine (*Maskulinum*). Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Er trainiert jeden Tag für den Marathon.
   He trains every day for the marathon. (Accusative Singular)
2. Die Vorbereitung auf einen Marathon erfordert Disziplin.
   Preparing for a marathon requires discipline. (Accusative Singular, indefinite)
3. Die Strecke des Marathons führte durch die Innenstadt.
   The course of the marathon led through the city center. (Genitive Singular)
4. Viele Läufer nahmen an den verschiedenen Marathons teil.
   Many runners participated in the various marathons. (Dative Plural)
5. Die Sitzung entwickelte sich zu einem echten Marathon.
   The meeting turned into a real marathon. (Nominative Singular, figurative meaning)

🗣️ How to use 'Marathon'?

The term der Marathon is frequently used in the context of sporting events. It represents endurance, perseverance, and a significant personal challenge.

• Sporting context: "Der Berlin-Marathon ist weltbekannt." (The Berlin Marathon is world-famous.), "Sie hat ihren ersten Marathon erfolgreich beendet." (She successfully finished her first marathon.)
• Figurative context: Here, it describes a lengthy, often tedious activity. "Die Budgetverhandlungen waren ein zäher Marathon." (The budget negotiations were a tough marathon.), "Für die Prüfung steht mir ein Lernmarathon bevor." (I have a study marathon ahead of me for the exam.)

Compared to Langstreckenlauf (long-distance run), Marathon is more specific to the 42.195 km distance, although it's sometimes used more generally for long runs. In its figurative sense, it's more vivid than, for example, langwierige Aufgabe (lengthy task).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Marathon'

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'der Läufer' (the male runner) or 'der Wettkampf' (the competition). Both are masculine, just like der Marathon.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the legendary run from Marathon to Athens – a long, exhausting journey, just like the word describes (both literally and figuratively). The 'thon' part sounds like 'long' if you stretch it.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Not every long run is a Marathon!

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nicht am Marathon teil?

Sie haben nicht den nötigen Mumm (und keine Muskeln)! 😄

Translation:

Why don't skeletons participate in the marathon?

They don't have the guts (and no muscles)! 😄 (Note: 'Mumm haben' means 'to have guts/courage' in German).

📜 Poem about the Marathon

Der Marathon, ein langer Lauf,
Kilometer rauf und drauf.
Schritt für Schritt, dem Ziel entgegen,
Auf staubigen und nassen Wegen.

Der Körper schmerzt, der Geist wird klar,
Ein Sieg, auch wenn's nur Ankommen war.
Zweiundvierzig Kilometer rein,
Das kann nur Ausdauer sein!

Translation:

The Marathon, a long run,
Kilometers up and on.
Step by step, towards the goal,
On dusty and wet paths taking their toll.

The body aches, the mind becomes clear,
A victory, even if just finishing was dear.
Forty-two kilometers pure,
That can only be endurance, for sure!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Lauf, doch nicht ganz kurz,
Nach mir benannt ist mancher Sturz.
Zweiundvierzig Kilometer, plus ein Rest,
Ich bin für Läufer ein Härtetest.
Auch eine Sitzung, lang und zäh,
Nennt man mich manchmal – oh weh!

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Der Marathon

Translation:

I am a run, but not quite short,
Some falls are named after my sort.
Forty-two kilometers, plus a bit more,
I am a tough test for runners galore.
A meeting, too, long and tough,
Is sometimes called me – oh, rough!

What am I?

Solution: The Marathon

🤓 Trivia & Origin

• Origin: The name comes from the Greek town of Marathon. Legend holds that the messenger Pheidippides delivered the news of victory to Athens after the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) and then collapsed. However, the distance was not the modern 42.195 km.
• Distance Standardization: The exact distance of 42.195 km was established only during the 1908 Olympic Games in London, supposedly so the British royal family could watch the start from Windsor Castle and the finish from the stadium.
• Word Composition: The word is borrowed directly from Greek (Μαραθών) via Latin and is not a typical German compound word.